Quick detachable die and die carrier



April 16, 1963 M. HURwlTz 3,085,508

QUICK DETACHALE DIE AND DIE CARRIER Filed Dec. 5, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 n n n u 1 l l i i ffl-5 -w ,fr- 5 z i V26 i I qll-'26 i I u I4 g I |4 g i 2O GM i 34 20 E --3 ru-i I l l l l I l I. --lo l I J' IL I i V32 il, ff--- 32' l g l L J::..g --J l if; 'J I I' i p-KSB i 46 38 [38o zxzohm/I6 Y K FIG.3 le f22 V4o l 30 36 24 26 flo |22 INVENToR.

MAX HURWITZ BY 2c,/%Mm im@ ATTORN EYS SAI , M. HURWITZ 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 QUICK DETACHABLE DIE AND DIE CARRIER April 16, 1963 Filed Dec. 5, 1960 FIG. 4

INVEN TOR.

MAX I-I U R W I TZ BY l WHL? AT TO R NEYS Iza' FIG. 5

FIG. 6

United States Patent 3,085,508 QUICK DETACHABLE DIE AND DIE CAREER Max Hurwitz, Lynn, Mass., assigner to Maxam, Inc., Auburn, Maine, a corporation of Maine Fiied Dec. 5, 1960, Ser. No. 73,922 2 Claims. (Cl. lill-384) This invention relates to marking dies and more particularly to means for attaching a marking die to a die carrier, the application being a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 853,025, filed November 16, 1959*, now abandoned.

The invention is intended for use with machines for marking leather, plastics, or other fabrics, such a machine being shown in my copending application Serial No. 786,937 (now abandoned) entitled Leather Marking Machine. Machines of the class shown in my copending yapplication may be used to delineate such things as Vamps, quarters, linings, and the like on the fabric from which a shoe is to be manufactured. Such machines are also sometimes used to emboss the surface of shoe materials with ornamental eiects. Accordingly, as in my copending application, the term marking is intended to include such functions as printing, perforating, or embossing or the like.

The invention is particularly concerned with the means of attaching the marking die to the die carrier or platen of such machines. As will be understood, the same machine ma`y be used to provide various forms of marking by the use of appropriate dies which are carried by the die carrier or platen of the machine. In the interest of economy and speed of manufacture, it is desirable to be able to change dies with a minimum of time and effort. Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a novel and improved quick detachable die and die carrier for a leather marking machine of the class described in my aforementioned copending application whereby the die may be easily installed or removed from the die carrier with a minimum of effort and time while at the same time accuracy of location of the die is assured.

Brieiiy, the object of the present invention is achieved according to one preferred embodiment with a marking die having a plurality of locating pins extending from a non-working surface thereof. The locating pins are engageable in a plurality of locating openings in a die carrier or platen for holding the die and accurately locating the die relative to the die carrier. The die carrier mounts a plurality of latching members movable into and out of latching engagement with the locating pins to lock the die to the die carrier. A manually operable fast acting lead screw is drivingly connected to the latching members so that, with a minimum of rotation of the lead screw, the latching members may be engaged with or disengaged from the locating pins. To tix the die to the die carrier, the locating pins are merely inserted into the die carrier and the lead screw rotated a small amount. Correspondingly, to detach the die from the die carrier, the lead screw is merely rotated in the opposite direction, whereupon the die may be removed from the die carrier. The ease and speed of attachment or disengagement of the die from the die holder provides a marked increase in changeover time from one die to another, thus achieving an increase in economy and speed of manufacture.

According to lanother embodiment of the invention, a control lever is provided to actuate the latching members rather than a lead screw. Also a pin is used to join the latching members and the lever is operatively connected to the pin by rocker arms with forked ends. To cause engagement between the locating pins and the latching members, the lever `and associated arms are pivoted in one direction while movement thereof in the opposite direction frees the locating pins.

ma l ICC A more detailed understanding of my invention may be had from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a plan view of a quick detachable die and die carrier according to one embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the die and die carrier of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section taken substantially along the line 3 3 of FlG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a quick detachable die and die carrier according to another embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 5 is an end elevation of the die and die carrier of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6 of FIG. 4.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a quick detachable die and die carrier incorporating the present invention includes a marking die 10 having a lower Working surface 12 for printing, perforating, embossing, or the like on the surface of materials such as leather. As used herein, the term leather is intended to include leather, plastic material, textiles, and like materials. A pair of parallel spaced apart upright locating pins 14 are carried by the die 10 and extend outwardly from the upper surface 12 of the die. For reasons which will be hereinafter apparent, the upper or outer ends of the pins are conically tapered, as at 16, with the tapered portion of the pins being spaced a substantial distance from the upper surface of the die. Each pin is further provided with an annular groove 18 having a generally V-shaped cross section and being disposed between the tapered end 16 of the pin and the upper surface of the die.

The pins are engageable in a pair of locating openings 20 extending through a die carrier 22. To maintain accurate location of the die on the die carrier, it is preferred that a hardened bushing or sleeve 24 be inserted within the end of each opening 20 next adjacent the die for locating engagement with the cylindrical portion of the respective pin 16 disposed between the groove 18 and top surface of -the die. The die carrier 22 is further provided with a pair of elongated internal passages 26 extending at right angles to and respectively intersecting the locating openings 20. The passages 26 extend inwardly from the front surface 30 of the die carrier. A pair of latching members 32 are slidably received in the passage 26 and are movable toward and away from the locating pins 14. The latching members 32 are provided at their inner ends with pin engaging portions 34 which are engageable in the groove 18 of the pins 14 to lock the die 10- to the die carrier, Vas best seen in FIG. 3. More specifically, each of the latching members is reduced in cross section at its inner end to provide an axial projection extending generally diametrically of the latching member. The projection is provided with a wedge-shaped portion which is generally complementary to the groove y18 in the pins.

To provide simultaneous movement of the latching members laterally of the pins 14, the die carrier 22 internally mounts `a coarse threaded member 36 forming a lead screw which is rotatably and slidably mounted within the die carrier. The lead screw is disposed between the' latching members 32 and extends parallel to the latching members. A threaded member in the form of a set screw or the like 38` is threadably engaged with the die carrier 22 and extends at right angles to the lead screw 36. The inner end of the threaded member 3S is provided with a conically tapered portion 38a which is engageable Within-lthe groove forming the thread on the lead screw. Accordingly, if the lead screw is rotated relative to the set screw '38, the cooperation between the conical end 38a of the member 38 and the threaded groove of the lead screw will cause movement of the lead screw longitudinally of itself, or, in other words, in a direction corresponding to the desired movement of the latching members. The threaded member 38 may be adjusted radially inwardly and outwardly of the lead screw to obtain the desired frictional engagement with the walls of the threaded groove of the lead screw, so that the lead screw will tend to remain in any adjusted rotated position thereof.

The lead screw 36 is connected to each of the latching members 32 by a cross member or plate dit, the plate serving as a driving connection. The cross member tti is provided with a slot or aperture 42 extending from the bottom edge thereof. The bordering edge portions of the inner end of the slot are engageable within an annular groove provided adjacent the outer end of the lead screw, thus connecting the cross member 4G to the lead screw for movement with the lead screw in a direction toward and away from the die carrier while at the same time permitting rotation of the lead screw relative to the cross member. The opposite ends of the plate 40 are provided with a pair of elongated apertures or slots in which are received correspondingly shaped projections 44 on the outer ends of the latching members 32. The projections 4,4 are staked over to tix the plate 4t) to the latching members, whereby movement of the plate 4t) inwardly and outwardly of the die carrier will provide corresponding and simultaneous movement of the latching members toward and away from the locating pins 14. A handle 46 is mounted on the outer end of the lead screw 36 to facilitate rotation thereof in a desired direction to effect engagement and disengagement of the latching members and locating pins.

When it is desired to mount the die ltl on the die carrier, the operating handle 46 for the lead screw is rotated to the dotted line position shown in FiG. 2 so as to withdraw the latching members to a position outwardly of the die carrier so that they will not interfere with insertion of the locating pins 14 on the die. The locating pins 14 are then inserted into the locating openings on the die carrier, the tapered ends 16 of the locating pins particularly facilitating this operation where the locating pins and openings may not be easily visually aligned. The operating handle 46 is then manually rotated to its full line position shown in FIG. 2, thus providing simultaneous movement of the latching members 32 into latching engagement with the locating pins 14 and locking the die to the die carrier. When it is desired to remove the die from the die carrier, the operating handle i6 is returned to its dotted line position, whereupon the die may be simply removed from the die carrier.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FlGS. L6, a modified form of mechanism for actuating the latching members is employed. Thus, latching members 32 similar to the ones shown in FIGS. l-3 are interconnected by a pin Sil. The pin 51 extends adjacent the body of the die carrier 22 and disposed above the pin in parallel alignment therewith is a shaft 52. Shaft 52 is supported between bearing mounts 53 which constrain it to rotate, and a pair of rocker arms 54 are rigidly joined to the shaft. The rocker arms are seen to have forked ends which are adapted to engage the pin 51 at spaced locations adjacent the latching members.

To produce pivotal movement of the rocker arms, there is joined to the shaft at an intermediate location, a control lever 56 terminating in a round knob or handle 57. Just below the knob, lever 56 has a protuberance 53 which projects into one end of a compression spring 59. A fixed block 61 is bored to receive the other end of the spring and a set screw 62 is threaded into the bore to compress the spring against the lever, In this way, the lever is -urged away from the block into a locking position abutting the members 63 and 64 which extend along the front of the assembly.

In operation, when it is desired to free the locking pins so that the die can be separated from the die carrier,

lever 56 is moved forwardly causing the shaft to pivot in a clockwise direction, and so also the arms 54. The result is that the latching members 32 are withdrawn out of the way of the locking pins. Conversely, when it is desired to maintain the locking pins in place, it is only necessary to release the lever S6 which is then returned to its locking position under the influence of spring 59. During this return movement of the lever the latching members are advanced by the arms 54 into engagement with the locking pins, thereby preventing any axial movement of the pins in like manner as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

Thus, it will be seen that I have provided a novel and improved quick detachable die and die carrier which assures positive and accurate location of the die on the die carrier and which facilitates changing of dies so as to materially improve the economy and speed of operation in a process utilizing the invention. While the invention has been described in terms of the embodiments shown, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made in the `structures shown without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and accompanying drawings are not to be taken in any way as limiting the invention. Rather, the invention should be deemed to be limited only by the appended claims, which shall include within their scope all structure which logically falls within the language of these claims.

Having thus described my invention, l claim:

l. A quick detachable die carrier and die comprising, in combination, a die, a pair of spaced apart locating pins extending outwardly from the non-working surface of the die, the outer ends of the pins being tapered, each of the pins having an annular groove disposed between its tapered end and the die, a die carrier having a pair of lo eating openings formed therein and in which said locating pins are received, the die carrier further having a pair of elongated internal passages opening at one end outwardly of the die carrier and extending at right angles to and respectively intersecting said locating openings in the die carrier, a pair of latching members slidably received in said passages for movement radially toward and away from said locating openings, the grooves in said locating pins having V-shaped cross sections and registering with said passages, each of said latching members being provided at its inner end with a wedge shaped pin engaging portion engageable in the groove of the respective locating pin to lock the die relative to the die carrier, the pin engaging portion of each latching member being disengageable from the respective pin in response to movement of the latching member in a direction away from the pin, a lead screw slidably and rotatably mounted internally of the die carrier, the lead screw being disposed between and extending parallel to said latching members, a selectively adjustable threaded member threadably engaged in the die carrier and extending at right angles to said lead screw, one end of said threaded member being conically tapered and being engaged in the thread groove of said lead screw, a connecting member drivingly connecting the latching members with the lead screw for simultaneous movement of the latching members and lead screw inwardly and outwardly of the die carrier, and a handle on the lead screw for manually rotating the same relative to the die carrier to move the latching members into and out of latching engagement with the locating pins.

2. A quick detachable die carrier and die comprising in combination, a die; a pair of pins carried by said die, each of said pins having an annular groove intermediate its ends, said groove having a V-shaped cross section; a die carrier having a pair of openings in which said pins are received; a pair of latching members slidably mounted internally of said die carrier for movement radially of and toward and away from said pins, each of said latching members being provided at one end with a pin engaging portion engageable in the groove of the respective pin on said die to lock said die relative to said die carrier, said pin engaging portion being Wedge shaped and generally complimentary to said groove in the respective pin; means for moving said latching members toward and away from said pins including a rigid member connected to and lconnecting said latching members to provide simultaneous movement of said latching members radially of said pins in response to movement of said rigid member, said rigid member being an elongated cylindrical pin fixed to said pair of pins, and manually operated quick acting means for moving said rigid members, said last mentioned means including a shaft pivotally mounted on said die carrier and extending parallel to said elongated pin, a pair of rocker arms on said shaft each having forked ends embracing said elongated pin whereby pivoting of said shaft 15 2,147,480

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,214,662 Escher et a1. Feb. 6, 1917 1,865,478 Mueller `luly 5, 1932 1,969,505 Freeman Aug. 7, 1934 Beckert Feb. 14, 1939 

1. A QUICK DETACHABLE DIE CARRIER AND DIE COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A DIE, A PAIR OF SPACED APART LOCATING PINS EXTENDING OUTWARDLY FROM THE NON-WORKING SURFACE OF THE DIE, THE OUTER ENDS OF THE PINS BEING TAPERED, EACH OF THE PINS HAVING AN ANNULAR GROOVE DISPOSED BETWEEN ITS TAPERED END AND THE DIE, A DIE CARRIER HAVING A PAIR OF LOCATING OPENINGS FORMED THEREIN AND IN WHICH SAID LOCATING PINS ARE RECEIVED, THE DIE CARRIER FURTHER HAVING A PAIR OF ELONGATED INTERNAL PASSAGES OPENING AT ONE END OUTWARDLY OF THE DIE CARRIER AND EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO AND RESPECTIVELY INTERSECTING SAID LOCATING OPENINGS IN THE DIE CARRIER, A PAIR OF LATCHING MEMBERS SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID PASSAGES FOR MOVEMENT RADIALLY TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID LOCATING OPENINGS, THE GROOVES IN SAID LOCATING PINS HAVING V-SHAPED CROSS SECTIONS AND REGISTERING WITH SAID PASSAGES, EACH OF SAID LATCHING MEMBERS BEING PROVIDED AT ITS INNER END WITH A WEDGE SHAPED PIN ENGAGING PORTION ENGAGEABLE IN THE GROOVE OF THE RESPECTIVE LOCATING PIN TO LOCK THE DIE RELATIVE TO THE DIE CARRIER, THE PIN ENGAGING PORTION OF EACH LATCHING MEMBER BEING DISENGAGEABLE FROM THE RESPECTIVE PIN IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF THE LATCHING MEMBER IN A DIRECTION AWAY FROM THE PIN, A LEAD SCREW SLIDABLY AND ROTATABLY MOUNTED INTERNALLY OF THE DIE CARRIER, THE LEAD SCREW BEING DISPOSED BETWEEN AND EXTENDING PARALLEL TO SAID LATCHING MEMBERS, A SELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE THREADED MEMBER THREADABLY ENGAGED IN THE DIE CARRIER AND EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO SAID LEAD SCREW, ONE END OF SAID THREADED MEMBER BEING CONICALLY TAPERED AND BEING ENGAGED IN THE THREAD GROOVE OF SAID LEAD SCREW, A CONNECTING MEMBER DRIVINGLY CONNECTING THE LATCHING MEMBERS WITH THE LEAD SCREW FOR SIMULTANEOUS MOVEMENT OF THE LATCHING MEMBERS AND LEAD SCREW INWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY OF THE DIE CARRIER, AND A HANDLE ON THE LEAD SCREW FOR MANUALLY ROTATING THE SAME RELATIVE TO THE DIE CARRIER TO MOVE THE LATCHING MEMBERS INTO AND OUT OF LATCHING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LOCATING PINS. 